A bill for an act relating to student public school attendance, including by modifying provisions related to state aid payments to school districts and requiring the development of an attendance improvement plan when a student is chronically absent from school.(See HF 2547.)
One significant aspect of HF2254 is its modification of state aid payments to school districts. The legislation stipulates that state aid will be reduced based on the number of chronically absent students in a district. Specifically, the reduction will be calculated by multiplying the state cost per pupil by the number of chronically absent students and will apply only to districts where the absenteeism rate exceeds 20%. This provision aims to incentivize schools to actively address attendance issues while also imposing financial consequences on those that do not meet expectations.
House File 2254 addresses the issue of student public school attendance with specific provisions aimed at reducing chronic absenteeism. The bill mandates that when a student is identified as chronically absent—defined as missing at least 10% of school days—an attendance improvement plan must be developed. This plan will involve the student, their guardians, representatives from the school, and the county attorney. The intent is to provide a structured support mechanism to help encourage attendance and engage families in the educational process.
While the bill primarily focuses on improving student attendance, it also raises questions about how resources may be allocated and the potential impacts on districts facing high absenteeism rates. Opponents argue that linking funding to attendance could unfairly penalize schools in areas with greater socioeconomic challenges, where factors contributing to absenteeism may be outside the schools' control. Supporters, however, contend that the bill encourages proactive measures and accountability in improving educational outcomes. As such, the discussions around HF2254 reflect broader tensions between supporting educational initiatives and ensuring equitable funding across different jurisdictions.